Collaboration Tools | 15 Free Online Collaboration Tools | Collaborative Learning We rarely learn in isolation. The vast majority of our learning is social, and whether we are aware of it or not, most of that social learning occurs when we are collaborating with others. Because of what the Internet makes possible, we no longer have to be in the same room with others to collaborate effectively. There are free tools for online conferencing, collaborative writing and editing, file sharing, private communication, and desktop sharing – and countless other activities. Here are 15 free online collaboration tools and apps to try today: Keep and Share – Keep and Share is a group file sharing system. Wridea – Wridea makes it easy to collaborate and share ideas with colleagues, team members, and fellow learners. Writeboard – Whiteboard is free collaborative writing software. Twiddla – Twiddla works very well for online meetings or co-browsing. Spicebird – This open source platform is an all-in-one suite of communication tools for people who want to collaborate online.
Collaborative writing software online with Writeboard. Write, share, revise, compare. Hello, We launched Writeboard back in October of 2005 as a stand-alone service. A few years later we integrated Writeboards into Basecamp Classic and Backpack. Today, the vast majority of Writeboards are created inside those two products. As part of refocusing on Basecamp, we’ve decided to retire Writeboard.com. But don’t worry — any Writeboards you already created here at Writeboard.com will continue to work. Thanks to everyone who used Writeboard.com over the years. Onwards, Jason Fried, Founder & CEO, Basecamp
Chatbox turns Dropbox into project collaboration platform - TNW Apps Chatbox is a new app in beta that brings project collaboration features to Dropbox. Shared folders form the containers for projects and chats can then occur around the project itself or files within the folder, making it handy for discussing a project with many files — such as a development project. Chatbox is very light on features, probably lighter than what you’d simply call minimalist — but we’re talking about a beta, one that the developer, Edwin Chu of Hong Kong, has admitted was a ‘weekend project‘. That certainly puts a more impressive spin on what’s in the app already. If all you need is a simple way to discuss files in your Dropbox, give Chatbox a spin.
Shop drawing A shop drawing showing different perspective views of a post and beam building. Steel reinforcement for a foundation wall opening. This shop drawing will require the builder and mechanical engineer to specify the opening size for an air-intake and exhaust louvers to be placed in the concrete openings. Installation information for electrical connections for chiller unit with surface mounted starter. Installation information will need to be reviewed with electrical and plumbing trades to coordinate third-party service connections. Information required to be included in Shop Drawings[edit] Comparison information for the architect and engineer[edit] The shop drawings should include information for the architect and engineer to compare to the specifications and drawings. Notes of changes or alterations from the construction documents[edit] Notes concerning changes or differences from the original documents should be made on the shop drawing for the architect’s and engineer’s approval.
Collaborative Learning Examples A while back Karen Schweitzer did a guest post here titled 15 Free Online Collaboration Tools and Apps. Karen is skilled at writing popular posts, but even so, I have been surprised at how much traffic this one has attracted. Apparently people are hungry for free online collaboration tools. Meanwhile, on other fronts, an attendee at a recent Webinar I was part of noted that collaborative learning … …should be a particular strength of e-learning from the perspective of technological capabilities. The question got me thinking about Karen’s post. So, I’d be really interested to find out how readers here are using collaboration tools and how they see them feeding into their learning, whether in a formal, traditional sense (e.g., as part of working on a class assignment, participating in class discussion) or in an informal sense (e.g., building knowledge as a project team, sharing experiences across social networks, etc.). Jeff P.S. – Please join me on the ongoing Mission to Learn.
The Rise of Backyard Biotech - Magazine Powered by social networking, file sharing, and e-mail, a new cottage industry is bringing niche drugs to market. Edel Rodriguez If FerroKin BioSciences has a headquarters, it’s the attic of the farmhouse-style home of Dr. Hugh Young Rienhoff Jr., in San Carlos, California. Clearing papers off chairs, Rienhoff seems an unlikely pharma CEO. FerroKin is seven employees who work from home, and a collection of about 60 vendors and contractors who supply all the disparate pieces of the drug-development process. “Some people have said, ‘How can you really accomplish this? The low cost structure of companies such as FerroKin—old-fashioned drug development can eat up hundreds of millions of dollars—translates into more variety in the market, and more niche drugs targeting neglected or rare diseases. The drug that FerroKin plans to bring to market in 2015 will help people who have congenital anemias and thus may depend on regular blood transfusions.
Submittals (construction) A wall mock-up. This detail compares the original design (left) and the submitted alternate detail for the skywalks at the Hyatt Regency, Kansas City. The proposed alternate compounded the loads on the bolts, which resulted in the skywalks collapsing on July 17, 1981. 114 people were killed. This example illustrates the importance of submittal review. Submittals in Construction Management are shop drawings, material data, samples, and product data. This process also gives the architect and sub-consultants the opportunity to select colors, patterns, and types of material that were not chosen prior to completion of the construction drawings. For materials requiring fabrication, such as reinforcing steel and structural steel, the architect and engineer need to verify details furnished by the fabricator as well as the required quantities are met. The contractor also uses this information in installation, using dimensions and installation data from the submittal. Pietroforte, Roberto.
15 Language Learning Tools for Lifelong Learners I realized recently that it has been longer than usual since I have posted anything related to language learning here on Mission to Learn. Here’s a great guest post from Karen Schweitzer to fill that gap – JTC Reading from a textbook isn’t the only way to learn a foreign language. The web offers a number of free tools that can be used to enhance the learning experience inside and outside the classroom. VerbaLearn – VerbaLearn is an excellent vocabulary tool for English language learners. Popling – Popling is a unique way to learn a language without intense study. Foreign Language Flashcards – This site provides free picture flashcards for visual learners who are trying to master a foreign language. Quizlet – Quizlet can be used to create and share flashcards. Lingolook – Lingolook is a foreign language phrasebook application that works with iPhone. Byki – This personalized language learning system can be downloaded for free. VoxSwap – VoxSwap is a social network for learning languages.
Collaboration is about collaborators and not the technology! - The Official DeskAway Blog God was able to create the world in 7 days cause he worked on the project alone. In the modern parlance it's still possible for mortals to achieve this feet but only if we join forces and collaborate. Collaboration is easier said than done but slowly and steadily collaboration online or via tools is gaining importance as individuals and organizations get exposed to tools and technology which help then collaborate better. Also factors like globalization, change in working environments and shorter life cycles of product/ technology drive them to work more efficiently as business today requires them to be fast, flexible and on top of the game. The study conducted by Steve Lamont and Lokesh Datta of All Collaboration in 2010 suggests that Collaboration is the top priority for top executives and they have good reasons to believe so cause out of 450 respondents that they surveyed, most of results pointed them to this conclusion. Now, there is a definite correlation between emails and focus.